Autumn Glory

Early this morning, our sister in law, Carol, wrote to tell us that there had been some lovely pictures of St. Louis and fall foliage on TV. I took this photo Sunday afternoon of the hard maple in our back yard. It should get a few more red highlights, but that depends on the weather. All day today, it has been dropping leaves and the yard is covered with this annual golden carpet.

Last year, I took the "maple picture" on Nov. 11. So color is peaking a little early this year. After our long, dry spring and summer, we really didn't expect much in the way of fall color, but Saturday and Sunday were just spectacular all over town. We drove to church yesterday down back streets instead of interstate highways, and just enjoyed the view. Today Norm was out digging in the flower beds, moving a stray daylily or two and planting bulbs--we ordered some Red Carpet lilies, some daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths and English bluebells. Our very moldy thistle feeder was visited by some sparrows and finches who were practically knocking on the window as if to say, "when are you going to clean this out and fill it? We're hungry." So I took it down and it's soaking in the basement tonight. Soon the juncos will arrive from Southern Canada, fall will transition into winter and we will start feeding the birds and heating their birdbath. But today was warm, sunny, breezy--a perfect day to rejoice in the rites of fall and start dreaming of another spring.